•ICPC disagrees, vows to continue probe

Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has written to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to withdraw his petition against Farouk Ahmed, the reigned boss of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), whom he accused of corrupt practices.

The ICPC, however, has rejected the withdrawal of the petition, vowing to continue with its probe.

ICPC Spokesperson, John Odey, who said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, noted that the commission had already commenced investigations into the allegation in the interest of Nigerians.

“The ICPC will therefore continue to investigate this matter in line with its statutory mandate and in the interest of transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption for the benefit of Nigeria,” Odey said.

He said that the commission received a letter dated Jan. 5, titled “Notice of Withdrawal of Petition against Engineer Farouk Ahmed,” signed by Dr O.J. Onoja, SAN and Associates, legal counsel to Dangote.

"The letter from O.J. Onoja SAN, states that the petitioner has withdrawn the petition dated 16th December, 2025, submitted against Engineer Farouk Ahmed, the immediate past ACE/CEO of the NMDPRA in its entirety and that another law enforcement agency has taken over.

"The ICPC wishes to state categorically that in line with the provisions of sections 3(14) and 27(3) of its enabling Act, the investigations in the interest of the Nigerian people and the Nigerian state have already commenced and are presently ongoing.

"The ICPC will therefore continue to investigate this matter in line with its statutory mandate and in the interest of transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption for the benefit of Nigeria,” the anti-graft agency said.

Dangote had in his petition alleged extensive foreign education expenses incurred for the four children of Engr. Farouk Ahmed, claiming that the costs ran into several million dollars.

According to him, the children reportedly attended secondary schools in Switzerland for about six years each.

The schools named include Montreux School, Aiglon College, Institut Le Rosey and La Garenne International School.

Dangote alleged that the total cost of secondary education for the four children — covering tuition, upkeep, travel and related expenses — exceeded $5 million.

He further claimed that an additional $2 million was spent on university education for the four children over a four-year period.

Specific figures were also cited for 2025, with Dangote alleging that about $210,000 was spent on one child’s Master of Business Administration programme at Harvard University.

The breakdown reportedly includes $150,000 for tuition and $60,000 for accommodation, travel and other incidentals.

The claims have not been independently verified at the time of filing this report. Engr. Farouk Ahmed has yet to publicly respond to the allegations. (Based largely on a NAN report)

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